FC Basel were denied a famous victory after Ashley Young struck late to help Manchester United to a 3-3 draw at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Two quick-fire first-half goals from Danny Welbeck had given last year’s finalists a healthy cushion at the interval, but the Swiss outfit had missed several opportunities to close the gap against a poor United defense.
But second-half goals from Alexander Frei, and one from his namesake Fabian, were just reward for a side which is fourth in its national league and now top of Group C after two wins from its opening fixtures.
And just as it looked like the club was set to see out what would have been one of the most incredible wins ever seen, which would have put it five points ahead of last year’s Champions League runners’ ups, Young popped up to head home Nani’s cross and spare his side’s blushes.
The hosts made a total of four changes from the side that drew 1-1 at Stoke over the weekend, with Welbeck getting his first start since returning from injury ahead of Dimitar Berbatov, as Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Fabio also got their chance in the starting 11.
A scrappy start from both sides saw the two outfits battling for early possession on the ball, as the visitors took advantage of some sloppy United defending and allowed Marco Streller to have a couple of breaks into the hosts’ area, with the in-form striker getting off a shot although he slipped as he struck through the ball and sent it high above David de Gea’s goal.
Antonio Valencia wasted a great chance with less than 10 minutes played after Young drifted in a swooping ball towards Basel’s back post and the winger leaped to head at Yann Sommer’s net, but the former Wigan man’s effort failed to hit its target disappointingly from just three yards out.
It took just 16 minutes for the home side to break the deadlock with injury returnee Welbeck grabbing the goal after Valencia held the ball up to give the lone striker enough time to get positioned in the box. Thanks to a slip from Park, the winger was able to slide the ball to the attacker and with a scuffed shot on the turn, Welbeck dragged the ball into the far corner past a stretching Sommer.
Just one minute later, Welbeck had doubled his tally and United’s lead with a much cleaner shot. Giggs started the move as the Welshman hovered around the top of the Basel area and as Young darted into the box, the midfielder fired in a low pass that evaded the former Villa man and found Welbeck instead, who was able to effortlessly side foot the ball into the same corner he’d scored in just moments earlier.
Despite the quick-fire setbacks, Basel continued to attack and should have had worked its way back into the match soon after.
First, Streller set up Alexander Frei with a back-heel but he hit his show wide from around 10 yards out then Fabian Frei turned provider but Zoua could only shoot into the side netting.
In an unbelievably open contest, the Swiss side threatened again, with Zoua playing a one-two with Streller but Frei could only head his centre over the bar.
The hosts also had chances to increase their lead, but Sommer denied Welbeck a first-half hat-trick then blocked Valencia’s shot with an outstretched leg when it appeared that the Ecuadorian would score.
United went into the break two goals to the good, but any suggestion that the match would quieten down was quickly removed soon into the final 45 minutes.
Young was correctly ruled offside in the opening minute after converting Valencia’s cross then from a corner, the former Aston Villa man sent Giggs through on goal but his tame show was easily saved.
And just as in the first half, Basel missed another great chance to halve the deficit.
Zoua set Streller through on goal once again down the right, but despite getting the effort on target for a change, De Gea was equal as he pulled off a stunning save with his outstretched leg to somehow keep his clean sheet intact.
Incredibly though, just like the first-half two goals were scored within a few minutes although on this occasion it was the Swiss side drawing level after a remarkable passage of play.
Firstly, Fabian Frei smashed home a half-volley after De Gea had made another good save to block Streller’s header from a corner
And then his namesake, Alexander, completed the comeback in dramatic circumstances.
Ferdinand looked like he had brought down the striker when he had slipped just outside the area, but it didn’t matter as seconds later Fabian crossed for Alexander to head home.
Ferguson responded by replacing Giggs with Park, but the away side continued to look the most likely to score the fifth goal in the match.
United, however, continued to look dangerous when they got the ball forward and Stroller was relieved to grab hold of Valencia’s header following Da Silva’s cross.
It was one of the last acts for the Brazilian who was replaced by Nani with the home side desperate to retake the lead.
But the notion that attack is the best form of defence was soon quashed as Basel were awarded a penalty after Valencia brought down Streller in the area after Phil Jones was caught dwelling on the ball
It was left to Alexander Frei, who buried his spot-kick high to De Gea’s right to complete one of the most remarkable turnarounds ever seen.
The hosts were understandably shell-shocked and could not find the same attacking threat which had made Basel look so shaky in the first half.
Valencia hit a tame shot which was easily saved by Streller then Welbeck failed to connect with a Nani cross.
Dimitar Berbatov came on late to try and make an impact but he could only head straight at Streller.
But remarkably, as it is so famed for, United struck late to deny the visitors a famous victory. Nani crossed again from the right and this time Young was there at the back post to head home.
Moments later and it was almost the second amazing turnaround of the night, but Welbeck just missed with his header from another Nani centre.
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